NHK has found that more than 23,2500 children on waiting lists for after-school care for elementary school students from dual-income families in Tokyo's <> wards this fiscal year have been found.

"After-school daycare" is a facility that takes care of elementary school students from dual-income families after school, and the number of users is increasing year by year due to the increase in the number of working parents.

NHK conducted a survey of local governments in Tokyo's 23 wards about the number of children on waiting lists for after-school care this fiscal year.

As a result, the number of children on waiting lists rose to 23,2514 in the 313 wards as a whole.

Looking at the breakdown, the largest number is
▽Koto Ward with 281,
followed
by ▽Sumida Ward and Katsushika Ward with 273 people, and Nerima Ward with 8 people
.

On the other hand, eight wards, including Setagaya Ward, Shibuya Ward, Toshima Ward, and Itabashi Ward, responded that there were no children on waiting lists, and even among the 23 wards, the situation varied greatly depending on the region.

The government plans to provide after-school care for approximately 2023,5 people over the five years until fiscal 30, but the achievement rate has only halved as of May last year.

Professor Shinichi Ueki of the University of Niigata Prefecture, who is an expert in after-school care, says, "After-school care used to be a supplementary treatment, but with the increase in dual-income families, it has become indispensable.

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I am a female group employee in her 40s in Meguro Ward.

Last month, I received a notice that my son, who will be in third grade this spring, had been rejected for public after-school care.

When she learned of the results, she confided, "About eight years ago, I couldn't enter a nursery school, so I had a faint feeling that even schoolchildren might have this happening.

Women go home around 3 p.m. every day, so from April, when after-school care is not available, they need to apply for new private school children and lessons.

The woman said, "I think the local government understands that the employment rate is increasing and the number of families using daycare centers is increasing, so I feel that I am not convinced as a person concerned.

The number of public schoolchildren is small and the burden is increased

I am an office worker in her 40s in Suginami Ward.

Last year, my daughter, who is in the third grade of elementary school, was not selected for public after-school care.

As a result, women were unable to work full-time and had to work shorter hours until 3 p.m.

The woman decided to use private after-school care and work full-time from January, but it cost about 4,1 yen a month. This is a big burden compared to public schoolchildren, which could be used for 5,4000 yen per month.

Still, there is a reason why women use after-school care.

Rather than spending time alone at home watching videos until you get home, I want you to spend time with your friends in a safe place where you can see adults.

The woman said, "I think it's very important to have a place where children can be seen. I think the number of public schoolchildren is small."